PM Fiala: Israel has the right to defend its existence
Czechia joined international condemnation of Iran's strikes on Israel on Saturday night, backing Israel’s right to self-defense and expressing concern regarding a further destabilization of the region. The worsening global security situation is expected to be high on the agenda of Monday’s meeting between US President Joe Biden and Czech Prime Minister Petr Fiala.
As news of the night attack broke, Czech leaders were quick to voice support for Israel, backing its right to self-defense and praising the work of allied states in defending the country. On his way to talks with President Joe Biden in the White House, Prime Minister Petr Fiala said Israel’s right to exist must not be questioned.
“I think we all agree on the need to prevent a further escalation of this conflict and to find a solution. But the solution we seek must recognize who is the aggressor and who is the victim in this conflict. And it must recognize Israel’s right to defend its existence by whatever means will guarantee its survival.”
President Petr Pavel condemned Iran’s night attack on the network X, saying that it could dangerously escalate the conflict in the region, and adding that the Czech Republic is in contact with its allies within international efforts to calm the security situation.
The Czech Foreign Ministry voiced unequivocal support for Israel, emphasizing the country’s right to self-defence and blaming Iran for activities destabilizing the Middle East.
Several Czech politicians reacting to the news pointed to links between Moscow and Teheran and similarities in the air strikes against Israel and Ukraine.
The Czech minister for European Affairs, Martin Dvořák, applauded the allied effort in defending Israel against the Iranian attack. "It is a pity that we do not defend the airspace over Ukraine with the same vigour," he said in a statement on X.
"As any state attacked by terrorists, Israel has the right to defend itself. We can see here that terrorists from Iran and terrorists from Russia are interconnected and help each other; this presents a threat for the whole world," Deputy Prime Minister Marian Jurečka said in a roundtable debate on Czech Television.
Amid heightened tension in the region, the Czech Embassy in Tel Aviv has urged Czech citizens residing in Israel to stay close to shelters and download the country's air strike warning app. Ambassador Veronika Kuchyňová Šmigolová told Czech Radio it is not clear how many Czechs are actually in the country at present.
“At the moment, there are about 80 Czech citizens registered in the DROZD travel data base, but we expect that in reality the number of Czechs here is much higher. I would estimate several hundred. We have advised Czech citizens not to travel near the northern border with Lebanon and Syria, and also near the Gaza Strip. That advice stands. The Iranian attack is over and the threat has been successfully dealt with. But much will now depend on whether Israel will decide to retaliate and if so in what way. “
